Monday, December 30, 2013

:Issued: 2013 Dec 30 0227 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
# Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 23 - 29 December 2013
Solar activity reached moderate levels during the period. Region 1928 (S17, L=008 class/area Ekc/460 on 21 Dec) started the week off with an M1/1n flare at 23/0905 UTC before rotating around the west limb on 24 December. Activity decreased to low levels from 24 - 28 Dec with the largest event coming from Region 1936 (S17, L=224 class/area Eac/170 on 29 Dec), a C9/Sn flare at 28/1802 UTC. On 28 December, around 28/1720 UTC, GOES 15 SXI and SDO/AIA imagery observed movement and enhanced brightening on the west limb. Shortly after, SOHO/LASCO C2 imagery detected a fast moving CME lifting off the west limb, first visible at 28/1800 UTC. The CME was determined too far west to be geoeffective however it was likely the cause of the greater than 10 MeV proton event to be discussed in the next
section. Moderate levels were experienced on 29 December as Region 1936 produced an M3/1n at 29/0756 UTC. Two filament eruptions were observed early on 29 December near S26E42 between 29/0104 - 0225 UTC. The WSA-Enlil model suggests the ejecta will merge with a high speed stream expected to affect Earth around 02 January.
The greater than 10 MeV protons at geosynchronous orbit crossed the 10 pfu alert threshold at 28/2150 UTC, reached a peak of 29 pfu at 28/2315 UTC and the event ended at 29/0645 UTC. The enhancement was likely the result of the large CME observed around the west limb at 28/1800 UTC.
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal levels throughout the period.
Geomagnetic field activity was quiet with active to minor storm periods observed at high latitudes on 25 December and an isolated active period on 29 December.
Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 30 December - 25 January 2014
Solar activity is expected to be low with a chance for moderate activity through 25 January. Region 1936 is expected to rotate around the west limb on 04 January but the anticipated return of old Region 1928 keeps chances for M-class activity intact until 17 January when Region 1936 is scheduled to return and finish out the period.
A chance for a greater than 10 MeV proton event exists through 04 January. Flux levels at geosynchronous orbit are still slightly elevated and Regions 1934 and 1936 are in good position to produce further enhancement should they erupt in the next few days. Probabilities will drop significantly once these regions rotate around the west limb.
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal to moderate levels throughout the period.
Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be mostly quiet through 31 December. Quiet to unsettled conditions with isolated active periods are expected from 01 - 04 January due to a combination of a positive polarity coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS) and a possible weak impact from the CMEs associated with two filament eruptions observed early on 29 December. Mostly quiet conditions are expected throughout the period with possible unsettled conditions on 10 - 11 January, 14 - 17 January and 23 - 24 January when recurrent CH HSS features are expected to be geoeffective.

All times UTC
Monitoring observations. Edited for clarity
4760 ELWA Monrovia Return.
Surprised to find a signal here with male preaching with the mic positioned in the back of the room at 0704 tune-in. At 0705, preaching ended and the studio male came on in Afro-accentedEnglish and mentioned "beautiful celebration," and then at 0708:40, was shocked to hear ELWA IDs clearly and somewhat slowly!! Then went into Hi-life music. At 0714, male announcer returned with additional mentions of "celebrate" and "celebration", "broadcast". At 0718 program into choral singing with male announcer's talk and voice-over saying "hallelujah." Male program host on at 0721; 0726-0731 noted Christmas tune Oh Holy Night. Station identification at 0732:05.
Mentions of Liberia during talk by announcer at 0741. Signal Was gradually and slowly fading but really took a nosedive between 0741-0751. Signal still barely audible with Afro singing at 0752. Barely visible in the display at 0800. Very surprised and glad to see them back.
e-QSL already received from Moses Nyantee who says they are testing 5:30-10:00 AM and 5:00-10:00 PM Liberia time. Will begin regular broadcasts on 1 January.
(Dave Valko-PA-USA, hcdx Dec 21/WWDXC Top Nx)

Friday, December 20, 2013

The
Christmas countdown is upon us. Amid the mad dash of shopping and decorating
your abode, take some time to enjoy seasonal programming from shortwave radio.
Choral music, dramas, religious services, and old time radio shows dominate the
bands.

This is a great time to take advantage of the special holiday programming on shortwave. Stations across the globe broadcast a variety of programs of dramas, choral music, religious services, comedy, and old time radio shows. For QSL fans you can preserve your favorite station or holiday program

Between Christmas and New Year, look for year-end retrospectives, looking back at the events of 2013 and forward to 2014. New Year celebrations begin in New Zealand at 1100 UTC on December 31, as you follow the New Year around the globe (easy on the toasting).

There are endless hours of specials from across the globe leading up to Christmas. In Central and South America, the Posadas religious commemoration can be heard on shortwave . During the ensuing evenings many Spanish stations air extended programming - some may broadcast all night, while a few networks have been known to activate relays for the holiday season.

On Christmas Eve the BBC World Service revives an annual tradition live from the Chapel of King‛s College, Cambridge. On Christmas Day, special programming continues from BBC World Service for airing of the Queen‛s Christmas Message. Others to tune in include Germany‛s Deutsche Welle, Vatican Radio, HCJB, Radio Romania International and many others.

And on 7375 kHz The Wolf Is Rocking Over The Ocean between 00.00 - 02.00 UTC 23, 24, 25,
26 & 27 December Rock & Roll with Wolfman Jack on The Mighty KBC!
(ODXA)

December 22, 2013
Special PCJ Christmas broadcast via Trincomalee, Sri Lanka transmitter:
1330-1430 on 9335 kHz to south Asia.PCJ will also broadcast a special
at 1330-1430 on 11880 kHz via Okeechobee, Florida to North America.

Radio Merkurs in Riga, Latvia will be broadcasting special Christmas programs for ARC on the 22nd and 28th December 2013 via the transmitter near the seaside resort Jurmala on the Latvian west coast broadcasting on 1485 kHz. The schedule is 1400-1500.

The programs will be produced by the ARC member Ronny Forslund (Ronny B Goode) and every member that wants to send a special dedication can do so. Send your mp3 file with your Christmas greetings and your music request to info @ rock.x.se

If you want a QSL card, please include some form of return postage. Email reports will be confirmed by email.
(Bengt Ericson-SWE, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 13)

December 22/29
PCJ Radio International Special Happy Station Show
1330-1430 on 5995 NAU (Germany) transmitter site to WeEu English
1330-1430 on 9335 TRM (Sri Lanka) transmitter site to 125 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English
1330-1430 on 11880 YFR (FL USA) transmitter site to 100 kW / 355 deg to ENAm English
(Bengt Ericson-SWE, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 13)

December 24
NDR Hamburg "Gruss an Bord" christmas program on shortwave again!

NDR Norddeutscher Rundfunk Hamburg program on December 24 again also on shortwave service on air.

German public broadcaster Norddeutscher Rundfunk NDR Hamburg will air its special X-mas program "Gruss an Bord" for German sailors merchant ships. Here is the schedule for Tuesday December 24, 2013.

The NDR also sends this year on 24 Dec 2013 its tradition of sending "Greeting on board" again on shortwave. The NDR streams this program since 1953 year on Christmas Eve, the program is thus in this year 60 years old. The broadcasting is done in two blocks

1900 UT German news to 1905 UT, then bells, foghorn and start of "Gruss an Bord" program. Mention SW, MW frequencies, livestream internet. Greetings to people aboard ships starts at 1910. A neat, different sort of program. GREYLINE is approx. on Missisippi river area during 1st part transmission.

From 2100-2215 UT the transmission actually consisted of a church service - German "Christmette" from Cologne, 2215-2300 UT will be from NDR studios again with greetings and music.
(WWDXC/Top Nx 1139)

"Gruss an Bord" is a show recorded live in Hamburg and NDR target for sailors around the world, mainly in German and even Low German sometimes. First time it is on shortwave again after decades. It was
regularly on Christmas Eve via Deutsche Welle shortwave from 1953 to early 1990's.

Voice of Russia (http://english.ruvr.ru/), the former Radio Moscow during the USSR era, will cease shortwave broadcasts as of January 1, 2014. From the 1950s through the 1980s, the station, as Radio Moscow, was a virtual beacon for short-wave listeners (SWLs), many of whom gravitated into Amateur Radio.

Voice of Russia currently broadcasts to 160 countries in 38 languages for an aggregate 151 hours per day on short and medium waves, on FM, via satellite, and via the Internet. Earlier this year shortwave transmissions were cut to 26 hours a day in all languages, down from more than 50 hours a day in 2012.
VOR, which claims to be the first radio station to broadcast internationally, will continue to broadcast online and via three medium-wave transmitters.

In 2003 VOR was among the first major international radio broadcasters to launch daily broadcasts to Europe in Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM http://www.drm.org/).

As a result of a decree signed earlier this month by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Voice of Russia radio company officially ceased to exist on December 9 and merged with several other state-run news agencies as part of Rossia Segodnya, a Russia-based international news service. Putin's decree also abolished the State Fund of Television and Radio Programs, placing it under control of All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company.
(ARRL Letter)

The Vatican said international management consultancy company McKinsey had been hired to come up with a plan to make its communications "more functional, efficient and modern."

The Vatican has six distinct communications departments - a press office, television, radio, newspaper, an internet office and a communications council, which exercises an academic and policy-making role.

They have been known to not communicate or cooperate with each other and sometimes have appeared to be in competition. In the past, one department has published important information without telling the others.

The Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, is 150 years old, and its editor is trying to modernise it to help shed its drab and staid image.

Vatican Radio, which broadcasts in 40 languages, takes up a big chunk of the Vatican's budget and some officials have questioned whether such a big structure is necessary in the Internet age.

Some of the languages the radio uses are holdovers from the period when it, like Radio Free Europe, was one of the few sources of independent information in the communist East bloc.

The Promontory Financial Group and Ernst and Young are already looking into other Vatican departments.

"The story of Netflix has many parallels to our challenges here," said BBG Chair Jeff Shell in introducing Hastings. "It started out as a physical DVD-by-mail company, and now, Netflix is one of, if not the largest, streaming media company in the world. The parallels to the challenges of this agency as we transform, makes Netflix a great company to try to learn from."

The discussion with industry leaders was part of the BBG's fresh approach to help the agency navigate media's evolving landscape and build audience engagement.

He also provided examples of rapidly evolving overseas technology, saying, "When you look at the rate of smart phone adoption, it's pretty easy to see that Internet connectivity via phone devices is going to be almost ubiquitous."

After an opening conversation with Shell, Hastings was joined by Macon Philips, Coordinator of the State Department's Bureau of International Information Programs, and Tom Cochran, Chief Technology Officer at Atlantic Media, for a panel discussion on managing international media organizations in the digital age. The panel, moderated by the BBG's Director of Innovation, Robert Bole, covered a variety of topics from recruiting talent to utilizing engagement data.

When asked about how to attract and keep talent, Cochran, who prior to joining Atlantic Media served as Director of New Media Technologies for the White House, explained that the key is selling the mission. "Engineers want to solve big problems," he said. "We have to sell them [engineers] on the mission of media. We have to sell them on the fact that they can help change the world, the way news and information is consumed, and that's important."

Passion for an organization's mission, and the freedom to take risks, the panel concluded, will also drive internal innovators to collaborate and try to solve complex problems and overcome obstacles.

"One of the advantages of being in business rather than government is that mistakes are encouraged," Hastings added. "In business, we say fail a lot, fail fast, and figure it out... our fundamental mantra for employees is 'Freedom and Responsibility'. Our employees can do almost anything, but we educate them on responsibility."

Macon Phillips, who was instrumental in the development and implementation of the "We the People" online petition platform as the then Director of Digital Strategy at the White House, argued that media and technology are not just tools for informing people. Instead, media should be thought of as means of engaging audiences and giving them a stake in the endeavor. Thanks to digital, audiences are "more powerful. They have access to more information and they can organize themselves. They don't need governments and businesses as much." Rethinking strategy for engagement, therefore, is crucial, he concluded.

Understanding your audience is also a key to adapting successfully, the panelists agreed. "Without quantitative data, you can't tell if you are succeeding," Cochran explained. Using engagement metrics to understand not only who you are reaching, but how they are interacting with your content is especially important.
(VOA)

WASHINGTON, DC -The Broadcasting Board of Governors today announced an interim management structure, took an in-depth look at the Voice of America and hosted a rich discussion on technology and innovation with key industry leaders.

The Board agreed to divide the responsibilities of the recently retired IBB Director among three members of the senior management team in order to help pave the way for a future Chief Executive Officer. Under this interim structure, André Mendes will serve as Director of Global Operations, Robert Bole will be Director of Global Strategy, and Suzie Carroll will serve as Director of Global Communications. Together they will lead the agency in an arrangement that is expected to begin in January, pending congressional approval.

"These individuals were chosen because they are forward thinkers and change agents," said Chair Jeff Shell. "We are extremely committed to bringing on board a CEO, and this interim management structure will prepare the organization for that reform."

Mendes, Bole, and Carroll will provide, in their respective areas, oversight and direction to the Director of the Voice of America, the Director of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, and all other offices of the federal agency. The three will work together until a CEO is selected and hired. Governor Matt Armstrong will serve as the Board's Management Liaison.

Jeff Trimble, IBB Deputy Director, will transition to a new role to be announced separately. Shell thanked Trimble for taking the helm of the IBB management team after IBB Director Dick Lobo's retirement.

After the regular business meeting, including comments from the public, the Board held a 90-minute "deep dive" session focused on the Voice of America. Before a live studio audience, VOA Director David Ensor reviewed the network's worldwide activities, distribution and effectiveness, illustrating his talk with numerous examples of excellent work by VOA journalists. Ensor also fielded questions from the Board concerning mission, allocation of resources, and audience engagement.

The technology and innovation panel opened with a discussion between Shell and Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix, about the challenges of steering a large international media organization. Hastings was then joined by Macon Phillips, Coordinator of the State Department's Bureau of International Information Programs, and Tom Cochran, Chief Technology Officer of Atlantic Media, in a panel moderated by Bole. An engaging conversation followed between the panelists, governors, and assembled audience on topics including measuring impact, developing partnerships and revitalizing content strategies.
(VOA)

Welcome to the last edition of the WRN Newsletter providing details of upcoming programs that can be heard on the World Radio Network.

WRN Broadcast has announced that as part of the company’s continued growth strategy it will be refocusing its seven international radio networks to concentrate on the core service regions. As a result the French and German Networks will cease broadcasting from midnight 31 December 2013, and the wrn.org web-based stations audio on-demand and podcasting service will cease on 16 December 2013. This Newsletter will also close with the last edition published on 20 December 2013.

WRN is pleased to offer a free desktop Widget that streams all of the WRN radio services. To find out more, visit the tools section on the WRN website. The WRN website also provides schedule and ways to listen information as well as details about our partner broadcasters including links to their websites.

If you would like to contact us, please send email to contactus@wrn.org

Why not subscribe to our Twitter feed and receive updates on the latest English networks news and developments.

Sunday December 22: A Prairie Home Companion
This week on A Prairie Home Companion from The Town Hall in New York City, join Garrison Keillor with special guests, pianist Rob Fisher, Bensonhurst carolers The DiGiallonardo Sisters, and vocalists Heather Masse and Aoife O'Donovan. Plus, the Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Tim Russell, Sue Scott, and Fred Newman, musical director Rich Dworsky with the Saturday Night Band (Richard Kriehn, Dean Magraw, Ray Marchica, and Gary Raynor) and the latest news from Lake Wobegon.

Broadcast times:
In Europe: Sun 1100 UTC / 1200 CET

Asia Calling
Saturday December 21: Asia Calling
Asia Calling is a weekly current affairs programme produced in Jakarta by Indonesia’s only independent radio network KBR68H.

Radio Guangdong
Saturday December 21/Sunday December 22. Radio Guangdong
Radio Guangdong, established in October 1949, is a leading radio group in south China. Radio Guangdong programs cover political, economic, social and cultural issues; programs about Guangdong, programs about Guangdong people and programs linking Guangdong with the world.

In the program this week: Where are China's charities and how do they compare to the rest of the world? China Chat answers these questions with Asha Hoffman from the Netherlands, Matt Horn from the UK, and Yuzi Zhu from China. Following a piece of Guangdong music, a review of what has been happening in Guangdong this past week.

Radio New Zealand International
Saturday December 21: Radio New Zealand International Dateline Pacific

RNZI is New Zealand's only shortwave station, broadcasting to the Island nations of the Pacific. Its broadcasts range from Papua New Guinea in the west across to French Polynesia in the east, covering all South Pacific countries in between.

In the programthis week: The Solomon Islands' maritime safety authority is expected to lay charges over this week's ferry sinking; a New Zealand academic looks at how Papua New Guinea can ensure its resource wealth is used to benefit all; the International Commission of Jurists calls for an official inquiry into West Papua's Biak massacre; and in sport, the Papua New Guinea Government signals a funding boost for cricket.

Hello friends,
Thanks for your reports from the past weekend. Because of travel earlier this week, I'm very much behind in responding, but I'll try to get that done before the end of the weekend.

We had good results last weekend, as illustrated by these images of the National Christmas Tree all received on 17860 kHz by listeners from Estonia to California.

Even though we are in the midst of the holiday season, our experiments continue.

Our MFSK64 mode centered on 1500 Hz has data from 1000 to 2000 Hz, with a second audio harmonic from 2000 to 4000 Hz.

Technically, there is no overlap, but there is also no "guard band" between the fundamental and the second harmonic. This can cause interference, especially with less selective, lower cost receivers.

To determine if a guard band would be helpful, we will first transmit an MFSK64 image on our usual center audio frequency of 1500 Hz.

Then we will move the center audio frequency up to 1700 Hz. The fundamental will be 1200 to 2200 Hz. The second harmonic from 2400 to 4400 Hz. The guard band will therefore be 200 Hz wide, between 2200 and 2400 Hz.

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 38, 21-22 December 2013:

*Use Flmsg with Fldigi. *To make Flmsg work with Fldigi (both can be downloaded from w1hkj.com), in Fldigi: Configure > Misc > NBEMS -- Under Reception of flmsg files, check both boxes, and under that indicate where your Flmsg.exe file is located.

Dear friends of shortwave radio,
Something is happening on
6070 kHz. Last Sunday the tests of our new stand-by transmitter between 0900 and
1000 UTC were successful. This weekend we will try to run the transmitter for
the first time with regular programming.We hope during nighttime, too. This should make reception possible in the United States. For this transmission we
would be glad to receive detailed reception reports, especially concerning the signal modulation. Send program details to: geronimoshortwave@hotmail.com

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Fans of LiveTalk, VOA Zimbabwe's
tri-lingual radio call-in show, can now watch the interactive program on an
expanded one-hour TV webcast.

The first half hour of LiveTalk
still airs on shortwave and medium wave Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 9
p.m. in Zimbabwe.

Online audiences will be able to watch an extended full
hour edition of the program, which is captured with hi-definition cameras
rolling in VOA's Washington studio. The program is streamed live on the VOA
Zimbabwe website (in English, Shona and Ndebele) and is available
on demand.

"The Zimbabwe Service has found
a very effective and creative way to integrate TV into their lineup," says
Africa Division Director Gwen Dillard. "Our audiences in Zimbabwe and throughout
southern Africa and the diaspora have been asking for something like this, and
we are pleased to be expanding to television."

LiveTalk hosts
Blessing Zulu and Gibbs Dube introduce the day's news and take callers'
questions in English, Ndebele, and Shona, with a mix of politics, sports, and
social issues.

"LiveTalk has consistently had people waiting on
the phone lines after 30 minutes, so the TV simulcast will give our audience
more of a chance to interact with us," says Zimbabwe Service Senior Editor Ray
Choto.

The web audience will get a fly-on-the-wall experience of watching
a live radio show, but Choto says the long-time radio audience won't be
forgotten.

"We really want this to be a radio show on TV, in that radio
audiences won't lose anything, but those who tune into the TV webcast will get a
feel for what goes into a live radio call-in show," Choto says.

The first
expanded edition of LiveTalk focused on the legacy of Nelson Mandela,
and featured guests Dewa Mavhinga, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, and South
African writer Raks Seakhoa, who spent time in prison with Mandela on Robben
Island. Listeners from South Africa, the U.S., Zimbabwe, and other regions
weighed in on the loss, and callers on the ground in Johannesburg painted a
picture of a city still in mourning. LiveTalk has been part of
VOA Zimbabwe's (also known as Studio 7) lineup since
2010. The program airs in Zimbabwe and across southern Africa on shortwave and
medium wave radio, and is also available online as well as live or on-demand
over the phone for listeners in South Africa, the UK, and North America.

On the heels of RFA’s popular IBB Saipan QSL card, RFA
announces the release of their 17th year anniversary card. Radio
Free Asia’s first broadcast was on September 29, 1996, and RFA continues their commitment to bring news,
commentary and cultural programming to Asian countries, where accurate and
timely news reports are unavailable.

Monday, December 16, 2013

This is a schedule update for the 2013-2014 Winter - International Shortwave Broadcast Guide.
The 684 page Teak Publishing shortwave radio hobby e-book can be purchased at Amazon.com for US$4.99. You can buy this new e-book at
http://http://www.amazon.com/International-Shortwave-Broadcast-Winter-2013-2014-ebook/dp/B00H8X7LHM/

All time references are UTC and frequencies are in kHz (kiloHertz) // indicates a parallel frequency.
=================================================================

Greece
Voice of Greece
Station broadcast on an irregular basis, and many frequencies are not active for the winter schedule period.
Greek
0000-03007475na9420na15650sa
0300-06007475na9420na11645eu
0600-07007475af9420eu11645eu
1900-23007450eu9420eu15650eu
2300-00007475na9420na15650sa

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2013 Dec 16 0846 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
# Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 09 - 15 December 2013
Solar activity remained at low levels during the week, but two Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were observed associated with two filament eruptions. The first was a 15 degree filament, centered near S31W41, that was observed in SDO/AIA 304 imagery lifting off the solar disk from 12/0304 UTC to 12/0330 UTC.
In H-alpha imagery, it appeared that the eruption was connected to Region 1912 (S21, L=140, class/area=Hsx/110 on 09 Dec) and was largely responsible for the C4/Sf flare at 12/0336 UTC. The eruptive filament structure had an associated Type II (estimated at 511 km/s) and Type IV radio sweeps as well as a partial halo CME first observed in SOHO/LASCO C2 imagery at 12/0336 UTC.
Later on 12 December, a 7-degree filament eruption centered near S32E27 was observed from approximately 12/0451 UTC to 12/0624 UTC. The filament eruption appeared in conjunction with the C3 flare at 12/0659 UTC from Region 1917 (S15, L=77, class/area=Dkc/340 on 15 Dec), as observed in GOES-15 SXI imagery. An associated CME was observed in SOHO/LASCO C2 imagery beginning at 12/0636 UTC.
WSA/Enlil model output indicated a glancing blow from the combination of both CMEs was likely by early on 15 December.
Region 1921 (N07, L=43, class/area=Hkx/400 on 15 Dec) produced the largest flare of the week, a C5/Sf at 12/2214 UTC, and was also the largest region on the visible disk. The remainder of the week was characterized by low level C-class events and several CMEs, none of which appeared to be particularly Earth-directed.
No proton events meeting alert criteria were observed at geosynchronous orbit, however an enhancement in 10 MeV flux was observed from 14 - 15 December. The peak flux observed by GOES-13 was 1.68 pfu at 15/0005 UTC.
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit ranged from normal background to moderate levels during the week.
Geomagnetic field activity began the week at quiet levels with the exception on a single unsettled period on 10 December. By weeks end, the geomagnetic field activity increased to active levels with minor storm periods observed at high latitudes. A geomagnetic sudden impulse was observed in global magnetometer data (e.g. 26 nT at Canberra, Australia) at 12/1323 UTC following an interplanetary shock seen in ACE/SWEPAM data at 13/1210 UTC. This shock was believed to herald the arrival of a corotating interaction region in advance of a negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream. Over the next 36 hours, solar wind speed would increase from around 270 km/s to reach a maximum of 607 km/s on 14/2114 UTC. Examination of ACE/EPAM low energy particle flux showed peaks around 14/1400 and 14/2300 UTC, suggesting the CMEs mentioned earlier arrived, embedded in the high speed solar wind stream. Bz reached a minimum near -12 nT at 14/0248 UTC and active conditions were subsequently observed during the 14/0300-0600 UTC synoptic period. A second active period was observed during the 14/1800-2100 UTC synoptic period while activity reached minor storm levels at high latitudes. The following day saw a return to mostly quiet conditions.
Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 16 December - 11 January 2014
Solar activity is expected to be at low levels with a chance for M-class evens (R1 - minor - radio blackouts) through the period, particularly with the return of Old Region 1913 on 18 Dec.
No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to begin the period at high levels through 18 Dec, decreasing to normal to moderate levels for the remainder of the forecast period.
Geomagnetic field activity is expected to reach active levels on 26-27 Dec, 03-04 Jan, and 10 Jan in response to recurrent coronal hole high speed streams. Minor storm conditions may be possible on 04 Jan. Quiet to unsettled levels are expected for the remainder of the forecast period in the absence of any transient features.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Monitoring Times has ceased publication, however, this is my last printed column with the magazine, December 2013

New projects for the radio hobbyist

Thank you to all that have read, written, or contributed
to this column. I have corresponded with many amazing people from my association with Monitoring Times. It has
been a pleasure to meet many of you at our former MT conventions.

Though I am involved in many outside activities, I plan
to continue my work in the radio hobby. Look for continued radio-related
postings on my Shortwave Central blog at http://mt-shortwave.blogspot.com/ You are also welcome to follow me
on Twitter at: Gayle Van Horn @ QSLRptMT for last minute tips or breaking news.

I will continue to publish the by-hour, multilingual
frequency guide, renamed the
International Shortwave Broadcast Guide and published by Teak
Publishing. This is an exciting development for Larry and I, and we hope you
will take advantage of this new source to compliment your listening time. For
complete in-depth details, please refer to this month’s What’s New edition.
Look for continued announcements on our blogs as we expand our publishing
projects.

Morocco-Radio Melilla 1485 kHz AM. Station stamp and seal noted with
“reception ok” on original report, signed by Antonia Ramos Pelaez, Directora.
Received in 594 days from original Spanish report with mint stamps. Station
address: Muella Ribera s/n, E-52005 Melilla, Morocco aramos@prisaradio.com.(Al Munick, PA/HCDX) If using the NASWA Country List, this station
counts as Spanish Morocco.

USA-KSEY, 1230 kHz AM. Full data Cowboy
Boot/Horseback Rider card, signed by James T. Pogue, QSL Manager. Received
in 69 days for a SASE (used), plus KH2AR ham card. QSL was for a DX Test. QSL
address: Box 3777, Memphis, TN 38173-0777 (Bill Wilkins, Springfield, MO)
Station is licensed to serve Seymour, Texas and broadcast a sports talk format
to the greater Wichita Falls, Texas. Sister station is KSEY-FM www.radioksey.com.

WQQK643, 1700 kHz AM. Received a City
of Happy Valley folding card, signed by Edith Foteff, Community Liasion.
Received in 150 days for an AM report. QSL address: 16000 SE Misty Drive, Happy
Valley, OR 97086. MW QSL # 3,037 (Patrick Martin, Seaside, OR) This is a
community service radio station www.ci.happy-valley.or.us. The WQQK call sign is actually
licensed by the FCC to a microwave service in Shenadoah, Virginia.

WTAD, 930 kHz AM. Original reception report returned with “Confirmed”
written at bottom, signed by Michael J. Moyers Sr., VP/General Manager.
Received in six days for an AM report, address label (used) and $1.00 US.
Station address: 329 Maine St., Quincy, IL 62301 (Wilkins).

Radio City-The Station of the Cars 7290 kHz via Tigandesti, Romania.
Full data E-QSL which included a two page history and information on the
station. Received in 20 minutes for an English report to citymorecars@yahoo.com.(Gayle Van Horn, NC) The station’s DJ
presents an oldies based format of European off-shore tunes, cruising music,
album tracks, hits from the U.S. and more.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Taiwan
Radio Taiwan International will be testing an additional frequency of 6130kHz for their French Service from 1900-2000UT on December 14 and 15th. No indication given of the transmitter site (I have now e-mailed RTI and asked). Below is what I received from Radio Taiwan International French Service.

Germany
Atlantic 2000 International via MVBR, 9480 kHz. Special QSL for 31st Anniversary. Received in two weeks for e-report to atlantic2000international@gmail.com (Hillton)
Radio Free Asia relay 15140 kHz. Full data QSL received ib 60 days for report sent to qsl@rfa.org (J. Belton, WA).

Ireland
St. Munchin's Church rockhill, 27765 kHz. Verified with a personal letter, Signed by Very Rev. Desmond McAuliffe, plus signed/stamped my prepared card. Received in six days. QSL address: Parochial House, Rockhill, Breree, Co., Limerick. (Robic)
SS Peter & Paul Church Balbriggan, 27755 kHz. Verified with signed prepared QSL card in 27 days. QSL address: The Presbytery, Dublin Rd., Balbriggan, Co. DUblin, Oreland
(Robic).
St. John the Baptist Church Kinsalem 27791 kHz. Verified with signed prepared QSL card by Fr. Young in 12 days. QSL addressL Parish Office, Frenchfield, Lower Catholic Walk, Kinsale, Co.
Cook, Ireland. (Robic).
Daniel O'Connell Memorial Church Cahersiveen, 27601 kHz. Verified with no-data card, and signed and stamped by Canon William Crean. He will not be there in the future, as Pope
Benedict appointed him as Bishop of Cloyne. (Robic).

United States
AFA5QW-MARS Greenwood, In; 11098.5 kHz. Verified with a signed prepared QSL card. Received in ten days via WD9DVA-Edward J. Woods. (Robic).
NJT-21st Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team, Fort Dix, NJ on 14885 kHz. Verified with an email report in two days (Robic).

December 10-16
8P KI1U (8P9IU), N1TA (8P9TA) and K0BJ (8P9BJ) will be active from Barbados (NA-021). They will participate in the ARRL 10 Meter Contest as 8P8T (QSL via KI1U). [TNX NG3K]

December 10-16Rudolf County Christmas
1700Z-2359Z, W9R, Rudolph, WI. Central Wisconsin Amateur Radio Enthusiasts. 28.420 21.320 14.260 7.210 3.950. Certificate & QSL. Myron Oestreich, KB9STB, 648 Main St, Junction City, WI 54443. Our special event station will be on the air before and after the actual event. The Rudolph, WI, post office offers annual celebratory post cards for the event and we will provide a post card and certificate. QSL via KB9STB. QSL with SASE. kb9stb@gmail.com

December 10-31
A9 Celebrating Manama, Capital of Arab Tourism, A92AA and A93LT are active as A91MCAT from the capital city of Bahrein until 31December. QSL via IZ8CLM.

December 11
ZD7 Daniel, ZS1BBT expects to arrive on St. Helena Island (AF-022) on 11 December. he will remain there for twelve days. He plans to be QRV from the school station. [TNX The Daily DX]

December 11-18
YN Scott, K7ZO will be active once again as YN5Z from Nicaragua. He will be QRV on 20-10 metres, and will participate in the ARRL 10 Meter Contest. QSL via K7ZO and LoTW. [TNX NG3K]

December 12-22
SP Slawek, SQ1KSM and Weronika, SQ1KSL will be active as HF1ZIMA and SN1ZIMA. Other stations participating in the "Welcome Winter" (zima in Polish) award are 3Z3ZIMA, F3ZIMA,SN0ZIMA, SN3ZIMA and SN5ZIMA. Further information on qrz.com

December 14-15Christmas City Special Event
1400Z-2300Z, WX3MAS, Nazareth, PA. The Christmas City Amateur Radio Club. 21.365 14.265 7.270 3.850 CW and PSK31. Certificate. WX3MAS, 14 Gracedale Ave - Greystone Building, Nazareth, PA 18064. Special Event Station WX3MAS is on the air the 15th 16th of December, from 1400Z to 2300Z, to celebrate the Holidays from the twin Christmas Cities of Nazareth and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by the Christmas City Amateur Radio Club and the Delaware/Lehigh Amateur Radio Club, WX3MAS is QRV every year during the Holiday Season. Listen for us on or about 28.465 21.365 14.265 7.270 3.850. depending on conditions, we also will be operating CW and PSK 31 on 20 and 40 meters, 10 and 15 meters as well if there is good band conditions. Did you contact WX3MAS? Send a QSL and 9x12" SASE for a colorful commemorative certificate! Happy Holidays to all amateurs everywhere from WX3MAS! cjfishing@rcn.com

December 15-17Bill of Rights Day in Bakersfield
0000Z-0000Z, K6GIB, Bakersfield, CA. Bakersfield Day of Resistance. 14.268 14.285 14.295 14.345. Certificate. Scott Gibson, PO Box 9522, Bakersfield, CA 93389. The Bakersfield City Council approved Bill of Rights Day in Bakersfield. December 15th! Now the city of Bakersfield will encourage all people of all ages to read, discuss, perhaps DISCOVER the importance of The Bill of Rights.

December 15-January 15
S7 Igor, UA3DJY will be active as S79ACR from Mahe (AF-024),Seychelles for one month. QSL via home call. [TNX DX World]

December 17-31
UA_ssh Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Russian Robinson Club, Alex RW3RN and Oleg A3HK/ZS1OIN will be active as RI20ANT from Bellingshausen Station on King George Island, South Shetlands (AN-010) on 17-31 December. Main activity will be on 20 metres (on or around 14160 kHz) SSB and CW. QSL via RW3RN. [TNX UA9OBA]

December 21-25
YB Look for Budi YF1AR/8 and Imam YB4IR/8 to be active from Pulau Kisar, part of the Terselatan Islands in the wider Maluku Barat Daya Islands group (OC-272, new one for IOTA). They will have two transceivers running 100 watts on 40-10 metres SSB, CW and the digital modes. QSL YF1AR/8 via N2OO (logsearch On Club Log and OQRS on http://df3cb.com/oqrs/n2oo/), QSL YB4IR/4 via home call (OQRS on Club Log). Further information at www.yf1ar.com/2013/12/kisar-island-oc-272-new-iota.html [TNX YF1AR]

December 26-01 January
W Once again Joe, K5KUA will be active as K5KUA/5 from Galveston Island (NA-143). He usually operates CW only on 40-10 metres. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. Logsearch on Club Log. [TNX rsgbiota.org]

December 28-31
OZ Ric, DL2VFR will be active from Romo Island (EU-125) during the New Year holidays. He will operate CW as OU1RAEM (QSL via DF5LW, direct or bureau) and as OZ/DL2VFR on 1-3 January (QSL via home call, direct or bureau). [TNX rsgbiota.org]